A surprise victory in the 400-metres hurdles by Nickesha Wilson highlighted the performance by Jamaicans on yesterday’s opening day of the two day IAAF/VTB Bank Continental Cup in Split, Croatia.

The 24 -year-old ran a season best 54.52 seconds to win the event, upsetting a strong field on her way to her biggest victory as compatriots Kenia Sinclair in the women’s 800m and Ricardo Chambers in the men’s 400 both took second place, while Shericka Williams was fourth in the 400.

All four Jamaicans competed for the America’s team that led by one point, 120-119, over the European team, with Africa in third on 81 and Asia/Pacific next on 73 points.

Wilson, who won the event at the JAAA National Senior Championships in June, was winning Jamaica’s first gold in the event and second medal since Deon Hemming’s silver medal in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1998.

The former NCAA champion while at LSU told the media after her win, “I did my strategy today. I’m glad to be part of the team. We all work together and it’s a victory for all of us. We have come to win, and that’s what we’ll do.”

The European pair of Natalya Antyukh and Vania Stambolova, respectively winner and runner-up at the recent European Championships in Barcelona, was expected to figure prominently, but Stambulova hit the final hurdle and paved the way for the fast-finishing Jamaican to cross the line first.

Nigeria’s 22-year-old Muizat Ajoke Odumosu, the 2008 African champion, ran a national record 54.59 seconds for silver, while Stambolova took third in 54.89.

Sinclair lowered her season best for the second time in two weeks as she ran 1 minute 58.16 seconds to finish behind Kenya’s Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei, 1:57.88, with Russia’s Mariya Savinoa third in 1:58.27.

“It’s my best time this season,” Tthe former St Jago star told reporters afterwards. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to win, but I’m satisfied and I’m looking forward to some sightseeing tomorrow. Split is such a beautiful place.”

Chambers followed home Americas teammate Jeremy Wariner, who smashed the 25 year-old meet record held by Mike Franks, running 44.22 seconds.

Chambers had a decent 44.59 running out of lane two, crossing the line ahead of Great Britain’s Michael Bingham, who had a season best 44.84.

Williams could only manage fourth place in the women’s one-lap event in 50.70 seconds as Botswana’s Amantle Monthso won in a season best 49.89, with World Leader Debbie Dunn of the USA second in 50.21.

Meanwhile, T&T’s Kelly-Ann Baptiste won the women’s 100 11.05 seconds (1.4 m/s wind), while Jamaica -based Antiguan Daniel Bailey was second in men’s race in 10.10 seconds behind France’s European double sprint champion Christophe Lemaitre’s 10.06.

Bailey won gold after he led off the Americas’ 4x100m team, which included Wallace Spearmon, Tyson Gay and Churandy Martina of the Netherland Antilles. The team clocked 38.25 seconds.